Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 253 The New Official's Three Consecutive Vomiting

Of the meritorious officials who contributed to the coup, none of them held important positions in the court. Even Wang Maozhong, who was only in charge of horses, had never entered the center of power.

This was certainly not a coincidence; it must have been deliberately arranged by someone.

And this person was none other than Li Longji.

On the one hand, it was of course to consolidate imperial power, which was a basic practice for emperors throughout history.

On the other hand, these heroes who won the coup were purely violent elements. They were fine for protecting themselves, but governing the country could not rely on them. On the contrary, their presence would hinder the governance. These military generals were bound to become arrogant and complacent, inevitably leading to conflicts with the prime minister.

This is a common occurrence.

The safest way is to let them take the money and go home to enjoy their retirement.

Li Longji was indeed extremely talented in recognizing and employing people, but ultimately he failed because of this very skill.

In fact, Wang Shouyi did not break this precedent. Anye Bureau was just a newly established department. Initially, it did not have much real power. It was gradually added later, and its leader was still Yuwen Rong.

This time, Li Longji suddenly agreed to let Li Lingwen and the others enter the Ministry of Works. It seemed like an exception, but it wasn't. After all, they were just working in a department, and their positions were definitely very low, which didn't match their status. Moreover, they were only responsible for assisting Wang Maozhong in promoting Taoist thought. They themselves said that it was just to prove their son's worth, and they didn't say that they wanted to return to the central government.

Therefore, they could not wield much power, but they could do Li Longji a great favor.

For Li Longji, this was entirely beneficial.

However, according to procedure, these official transfers require the drafting of an edict by the three provinces, so it was necessary to inform Zhang Shuo and Yuan Qianyao.

Zichen Palace.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue was displeased. "Good heavens," he thought, "you're trying to undermine our cause!" He asked, "Your Majesty, is this Wang Maozhong's suggestion?"

Li Longji nodded.

Zhang said, "Regardless of whether this suggestion is right or wrong, I believe he should have consulted with me first."

You, Wang Maozhong, are overstepping your bounds!

Li Longji quickly smiled and said, "What the Grand Secretary said is very true. He should have discussed it with the Grand Secretary first, but he also said that last time, because of his matter, he dragged the Grand Secretary into a dilemma, so he dared not disturb the Grand Secretary."

Zhang Shuo was not appreciative of this, and said only, "He is not afraid of causing trouble for the old minister, he is afraid that the old minister will not allow it."

Li Longji did not deny it, but asked, "I wonder what the Grand Secretary thinks of this personnel reshuffle?"

Instead of answering, Zhang asked, "What does Your Majesty think?"

Li Longji said, "Last time at the Ministry of Works, I deeply agreed with Wang Xiaoque's theory, but I also agree with the Grand Secretary's concerns. How to explore and how to study it is indeed very difficult."

Currently, officials in the Ministry of Works don't seem to have much interest in this. And the people Wang Maozhong recommended this time are all parents of students from the nameless academy; I naturally understand their intentions, and I'd like to give it a try myself.”

Zhang Shuo was naturally unwilling and glanced at Yuan Qianyao.

Yuan Qianyao understood immediately and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Works is in charge of national construction and river management. We cannot act rashly. People like the Duke of Song have been retired for many years and I'm afraid they are not capable of taking on such an important task."

Li Longji said, "This personnel reshuffle only involves mid-level officials such as Assistant Ministers and Ministers. Lower-level officials will not be affected, and with Vice Minister Yu watching over them, they will not act recklessly."

If you're going to do this, it proves that Li Longji has made a very strong decision.

Zhang asked directly, "Does it have to be this way?"

Li Longji said, "What Wang Xiaoque said at the Ministry of Works that day is precisely the reason why we are currently in a difficult situation externally, and there are not many solutions for the time being. Since someone has made a suggestion, why not give it a try?"

Zhang Shuo sighed, then nodded and said, "Since Your Majesty has made the decision, I will obey."

With Li Longji's determination, the edict was quickly issued to the Ministry of Works, and Xu Jin and the others agreed very readily and left cleanly and efficiently, basically leaving the Ministry of Works on the same day.

Because they were either transferred to the Ministry of War, or to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue, which, in terms of departmental importance, was actually a promotion.

They didn't want to work under Wang Maozhong anyway, so they were happy to accept this outcome.

However, this still sparked considerable discussion in the imperial court, especially regarding the deep-seated prejudice against Wang Maozhong.

He also believed that the emperor favored Wang Maozhong too much, and that any officials who opposed him should be transferred away and replaced with a group of obedient ones.

If things are done this way, everyone from top to bottom will be in cahoots, and how can there be any oversight?

Of course, this time they only complained and no one stood up to object. First of all, if Zhang Shuo and Yuan Qianyao couldn't stop it, how could they?
Then look at that list, you'll be grinning from ear to ear. They're either drunkards, old rascals, or greedy, lustful good-for-nothings.

With this group of people hanging out together, something bad is bound to happen in less than a month.

Everyone was waiting to see Wang Maozhong make a fool of himself.

Some people are even betting on when the gambling king Mao Zhong will leave the Ministry of Works.

Faced with everyone's doubts and seeing the scene before him, Wang Maozhong felt utterly despondent.

There sat eight fathers from the Wuming Academy, including Li Tong and Li Xun's father, Duke Song Li Lingwen, Cui Gu'er's father, Cui Shendao, Dou E's father, Dou Xiguan, and Guo Jian's father, Guo Peng. They were drinking heartily at the Ministry of Works' table, their chests and breasts exposed, their faces flushed red.

Originally, Li Lingwen had planned to temporarily quit drinking, but he couldn't resist this group of guys and ended up drinking again.

You should know that today is their first day reporting to the Ministry of Works.

"Mao Zhong is here!"

When Li Ling saw Wang Maozhong arrive, he immediately pulled him to the table and said, "Maozhong! You're late. Punish yourself with three cups."

Cui Shendao was already incoherent from drinking. "Mao Zhong! Look how considerate we are of you. We've hosted a banquet to welcome you back and cleanse your home. It's saved you a lot of trouble."

"We've been brothers for years, it's too formal to talk about these things."

Dou Xiguan shook his head and said.

On the very first day, my workshop was turned into a restaurant.

Wang Maozhong was filled with remorse. If it were anyone else, he would have slapped them twice, but these people were either comrades-in-arms, good friends, or at the very least, the fathers of his son's classmates. He couldn't hit them or scold them.

Wang Maozhong had never felt so aggrieved. In a fit of anger, he lay down on the table and burst into tears.

His voice was already loud, and his crying was like thunder, startling Li Ling and the others sobering them up. Cui Shendao was flattered and said, "Mao Zhong! You don't need to be so happy that we're here."

After he finished speaking, Wang Maozhong cried even louder.

"It's over! It's over! It's all over!"

"What's over?"

Dou Xiguan asked, "Mao Zhong, is someone bullying you?"

Wang Maozhong covered his face and nodded repeatedly.

Dou Xiguan immediately flew into a rage, "Who bullied you? Let's go settle the score with them. Come on, come on, what kind of hero cries here? Aren't you ashamed?"

He was closely related to Li Longji through marriage; his sister was Li Longji's biological mother, and his wife was Li Longji's daughter. Therefore, his status was no less than that of Wang Shouyi, but his reputation was even worse than Wang Shouyi's, as he often bullied others by abusing his power.

"It's you guys... Waaaaah..."

Wang Maozhong slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and pointed at the eight of them.

Dou Xiguan was dumbfounded. "How did we bully you?"

Wang Maozhong cried out, “I made a solemn pledge to His Majesty that if this doesn’t work, I’ll offer up my head. What did you all say before that you would come here to help me and support me? But who would have thought that you would all be drunk on your very first day? If this continues, oh dear, it’s all over!”

"So that's what it was about." Cui Shendao quickly comforted him, "Don't be anxious. Even according to etiquette, we should have a welcoming feast on the first day!"

"what!"

Wang Maozhong let out another heart-wrenching scream, then sat down heavily on the ground, pulling open his shirt with one hand and pounding his chest with the other.

"Mao Zhong! Mao Zhong!"

Li Lingwen quickly grabbed him, "Okay, okay, we were wrong, we were wrong, we won't drink anymore, we'll never drink again, you... please stop crying, okay? What will people think if they see this?"

Wang Maozhong glanced at Dou Xiguan and the others, then continued to cry.

Li Lingwen quickly said, "You guys are really something. If we wanted to drink, why would we need to come to the Ministry of Works? Business is more important, business is more important."

"Go, go, go!"

Dou Xiguan said impatiently, "I won't drink anymore, I promise you, I won't drink anymore, okay?"

"Waaaah—unless you swear an oath."

"Don't go too far."

"what--!"

"I swear! I swear!"

"How to send it?"

"You only need to promise that if you break your oath, you will die on the same day, month, and year as me."

What is the reason for this?

Cui Shendao asked curiously.

Wang Maozhong said, "If it doesn't work out, I'll die anyway. If you stay with me, I won't be afraid."

The eight people gasped in shock.

"Mao Zhong, I never expected to see you!"

"what!"

"May you prosper, prosper, prosper!"

Eight people stood in a row, facing Wang Maozhong, and swore an oath.

After the oath was made, the crying stopped abruptly. Wang Maozhong pushed Li Lingwen aside, stood up, and said in a serious tone, "Brothers, don't blame me for being heartless. If we make a fool of ourselves this time, even our sons won't be able to hold their heads up in public."

Li Lingwen nodded and said, "Enough with the nonsense. Now that we're here, we know what we're supposed to do. Tell us, Minister of Works, what do you want us to do?"

Wang Maozhong frowned and said, "Of course we'll ask our son for advice."

If it weren't for your sons, who would want to work with you guys? Do you really think I'm so old?

Wang Maozhong was an impatient man, so he immediately summoned all nine of the Ministry of Works' sons, plus Wang Xi, Li Jieman, and Huangfu Sengnian.

Now that everyone in the Ministry of Works is his man, there's no need to worry about so much.

"Why does it smell so bad?"

Cui Shendao immediately covered his mouth and nose.

Wang Maozhong, who wanted to hit someone, was so disgusted by the stench that he didn't dare to approach. "What have you been doing?"

Li Xun exclaimed excitedly, "We just went to study excrement and urine!"

"vomit!"

Choi Shin-do, who had just drunk quite a bit of alcohol, immediately vomited.

As soon as he vomited, Dou Xiguan, who was also drunk, vomited as well.

"Ugh, vomit, vomit!"

Only Wang Maozhong remained unmoved, but tears glistened in the corners of his eyes.

This is only the first day. How are we going to get through the rest of the days?
Wang Xi said speechlessly, "Second Brother, can we use the scientific name—feces?"

(End of this chapter)